generator/powerboard setup

[merseybluenose]

Can't quite find the info on here I'm looking for so here goes......

Just been away camping for a week and decided I want to upgrade some things, currently use LED's with my 120amp deep cycle battery, used every night to run just the LED's and have returned with still over half a battery of charge.

I want to hook up a trickle feed of solar panels straight to the battery so that I can run LED's for a 2 week stay without problem (as I was told not to run the deep cycle battery below half as it will start to deteriorate), What would be a good panel setup to do this?

Also, want to get a generator (so let me know size, makes and models plz) to take and setup some type of powerboard that can be used to charge ipads/phones and also have 12v output for other random items to plug in..... I don't have it in my head what that looks like just yet or know what electrical requirements it needs so if people got photos of what they do it would be great to see.......

Cheers.

[mowerman]

Don't go the generator mate. Spend the money on more amps and solar.
My camper trailer http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...-trailer-build has 250 amps of battery. 100 and 2 75s.
160 watts of solar panels and most of the wiring is 8B&S with the main feeds 6B&S. 12v outlets can be bought from most auto places but I prefer Jaycar or Springers for everthing.

Main beach Straddie for a week and the lowest the batterries went to was 12.5v one morning after a cloudy day.
We run a lot of Leds,35 litre Evakool fridge, charged everyone's phone every 2nd day seemed like(12 people) and also charging a laptop that is used as a tv as well as the powered tv ariel.

Have a look here for a few ideas. http://www.myswag.org/index.php

Rod
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[bluefin59]

I have a 95 amp hr battery in my camper trailer and run an led strip in the annex a techno ice 12 v fridge a teac tv DVD player 12v and a power booster for my tv antenna and assorted night lights no problem , my 220 w solar panel has the battery fully charged by 10:30 am on a sunny day and never ran out of power on a recent 5 day trip . I also would get a decent solar panel and led lights ,especially with the battery you have ..Matt

[merseybluenose]

Thanks for the pics Mowerman, camper looks awesome.

The powerbox you've built is much the same as what I had in mind but I'm no sparky so few questions if you don't mind.........when it comes to your battery setup do you have all those batteries in a series? Do you feed straight from the battery to your 12v sockets and then connect to the powerpoint via a converter to supply the correct feed? (I'm assuming that your powerpoint is also what you use to plug in a phone charger or whatever).

Cheers.

[mowerman]

Er...No.
I will try to explain.
The 240v power socket is only used at van parks on powered sites.Double pole with an earth leakage circuit and 15 amp lead.
We then run normal leads from there to whatever appliance. Jug,toaster,hair dryer sheesh. Also a Ctek charger for the batteries.
This is completely separate to the 12volt circuits.

The batteries are connected in parallel, +to+,-to- so the 3 batteries become 1 bigger 12v battery.All 6B&S cable.
The main feed from the batteries go to a busbar then individual wiring thru a fuseblock to the 12v sockets and Anderson plugs.
I use sockets like these.
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...UBCATID=1052#7
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...UBCATID=1052#7
Wired in thru the fuseblock.
One of these for the laptop. Plugs into one of the above sockets.
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MP3324

The 240v and 12v are completely separate.

If you are anywhere near the Redlands you could have a look.

Rod
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[hungry6]

Go solar and good battery, no noise or fuel to worry about,